Confraternity of priests
Encyclopedia
Confraternities of priests - in distinction from the many confraternities open to lay persons - reached an importance place of influence in the Roman Catholic Church
by the end of the nineteenth century. At that point, the Apostolic Union, the Priests' Eucharistic League
, and the Priests' Communion League
, had become established widely in many countries. There were also such confraternities operating nationally.
A confraternity is a society of persons associated for some pious object. The members are linked together by a bond of brotherhood for mutual co-operation in the pursuit of a specific object of religion or charity by means of prayer, example, and counsel. A confraternity of priests in the strict sense of the word seeks before all else the personal sanctification of its members. Sacerdotal confraternities have as their common object being to preserve priests from the dangers of spiritual and social isolation, and to afford them something of that mutual support which belongs to a religious community. The particular aims of priests' confraternities may be reduced to three: personal holiness, ecclesiastical learning, and mutual financial aid. Financial assistance embraces cases of sickness and old age, as well as loans, medical attendance, and legal advice.
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
by the end of the nineteenth century. At that point, the Apostolic Union, the Priests' Eucharistic League
Priests' Eucharistic League
The Priests' Eucharistic League was a Roman Catholic confraternity set up in the nineteenth century, with primary object the frequent and prolonged worship of the Blessed Sacrament by priests....
, and the Priests' Communion League
Priests' Communion League
The Priests' Communion League is an association of Roman Catholic priests established at Rome on 20 July 1906. Its object is to spread the practice of frequent and daily Communion among the Catholic faithful in conformity with the Decree "Sacra Tridentina Synodus" of 20 December 1905.It was raised...
, had become established widely in many countries. There were also such confraternities operating nationally.
A confraternity is a society of persons associated for some pious object. The members are linked together by a bond of brotherhood for mutual co-operation in the pursuit of a specific object of religion or charity by means of prayer, example, and counsel. A confraternity of priests in the strict sense of the word seeks before all else the personal sanctification of its members. Sacerdotal confraternities have as their common object being to preserve priests from the dangers of spiritual and social isolation, and to afford them something of that mutual support which belongs to a religious community. The particular aims of priests' confraternities may be reduced to three: personal holiness, ecclesiastical learning, and mutual financial aid. Financial assistance embraces cases of sickness and old age, as well as loans, medical attendance, and legal advice.